Stay Malate Hostel

The hostel had a great vibe, with nice people to meet, a bar, a rooftop to hang out on with a view, and a kitchen with more options than I’ve experienced at any hostel anywhere. There’s an elevator, too, which I loved. The prices are among the best, and the area has places open around the clock. You can walk to spots including Rizal park and Manila bay, though I didn’t find the bay very interesting. Grab makes it easy to get to Manila’s hotspots. I felt safe in and around the hostel, though that isn’t something I care about. I’d definitely come back. Most of my photos are of places around the hostel.

If you’re on a budget for a stay in Manila, this is a good deal. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and you can ask for towels. There’s also a place to eat and dine on the 5th floor. Budget-friendly hostel.

Getting back an item we’d left behind turned into a hassle because of the duty front desk staff. I understand they normally ask for ID, but even after we showed valid identification, she wanted more proof, which made the whole process unnecessarily inconvenient.

The rooftop bar had a really nice, friendly hostel atmosphere, and the manager was helpful in showing me around. I spent a few days here and found the price very reasonable. It’s in Korea Town, with Korean restaurants nearby. My room was small but adequate for the low price, with a little desk and a fan, and the shared bathroom seemed reasonably clean. One thing to be aware of is that it’s a bit in a red-light area. As a male traveler, I got a lot of propositions, which could feel uncomfortable if you aren’t prepared for that.